Storage system, and data transfer method for use in the system
First Claim
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1. A storage system comprising:
- a storage device storing data;
a cache device capable of caching said data stored in said storage device;
a controller controlling access to at least said storage device and said cache device; and
an internal network interconnecting said storage device, said cache device, and said controller so as to be enable communications therebetween, wherein said controller includes transfer instruction issuing means which issues a data transfer instruction to one of said cache device and said storage device upon receipt of an access request transmitted, by way of said internal network, from a client device connected to said internal network in an accessible manner; and
at least one of said storage device and cache device which receives said data transfer instruction includes direct transfer means for performing direct transfer of data to said client device by means of directly carrying out negotiation required for data transfer with said client device in accordance with said data transfer instruction from said controller.
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Abstract
Upon receipt of an access request from a client device (7) by way of an internal network (5), a controller (2) issues a data transfer instruction to a cache device (4) or a storage device (3). The cache device (4) or the storage device (3), which has received the data transfer instruction, carries out a direct negotiation required for data transfer with the client device (7) in accordance with the instruction, thereby directly transferring data to the client device (7). As a result, an attempt can be made to significantly curtail latency of a storage system (1) and improve a throughput [i.e. securing of a band at which performance of the internal network (5) can be exhibited sufficiently].
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A storage system comprising:
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a storage device storing data;
a cache device capable of caching said data stored in said storage device;
a controller controlling access to at least said storage device and said cache device; and
an internal network interconnecting said storage device, said cache device, and said controller so as to be enable communications therebetween, wherein said controller includes transfer instruction issuing means which issues a data transfer instruction to one of said cache device and said storage device upon receipt of an access request transmitted, by way of said internal network, from a client device connected to said internal network in an accessible manner; and
at least one of said storage device and cache device which receives said data transfer instruction includes direct transfer means for performing direct transfer of data to said client device by means of directly carrying out negotiation required for data transfer with said client device in accordance with said data transfer instruction from said controller.
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2. A data transfer method for use in a storage system having a storage device storing data, a cache device capable of caching said data stored in said storage device, a controller controlling access to at least said storage device and said cache device, and an internal network interconnecting said storage device, said cache device, and said controller so as to be enable communications therebetween, the method comprising:
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an access request issuance step of a client device connected to said internal network in an accessible manner, that issues an access request to said controller by way of said internal network;
a transfer instruction issuance step of said controller that issues a data transfer instruction to either said cache device or said storage device upon receipt of said access request; and
a direct transfer step of one of said cache device and said storage device carrying out direct negotiation required for transfer of data with respect to said client device, thereby transferring data directly to said client device. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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13. A storage system comprising:
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a plurality of storage devices for storing data;
a controller controlling access to said storage device; and
an internal network interconnecting said storage device and said controller so as to enable communications therebetween, wherein said controller comprises virtual storage management means managing memory areas of a plurality of said storage devices as a virtual storage area of specific size by means of collectively managing said memory areas of a plurality of said storage devices through use of a virtual storage address; and
transfer instruction issuing means which issues a data transfer instruction to said storage device having said memory area specified by said virtual storage management means on the basis of a certain virtual storage address upon receipt, by way of said internal network, of a request for access to said virtual storage area using said virtual storage address from a client device accessibly connected to said internal network; and
whereinsaid storage device has direct transfer means which carries out a direct negotiation required for data transfer with said client device in accordance with said data transfer instruction from said controller, thereby directly transferring data to said client device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25)
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Specification